Jones relishing Six Nations finale after Italy drubbing

Eddie Jones says the last weekend of the Six Nations “will be like a Grand Final” after England hammered hapless Italy 57-14 to leave Wales with only a one-point lead.

Manu Tuilagi and Brad Shields scored two tries apiece, while Jamie George, Jonny May, Dan Robson and George Kruis also dotted down in a rout at Twickenham on Saturday.

Wales beat Scotland 18-11 earlier in the day to stay on course for a Grand Slam – they can complete a clean sweep in this season’s tournament if they get the better of defending champions Ireland in Cardiff next Saturday.

Jones is looking forward to what promises to be a thrilling finale, with England eyeing a fourth bonus-point win of the campaign when they take on Scotland after Wales and Ireland have locked horns.

He told ITV Sport: “Next week will be like a Grand Final, it’ll be exciting. We cannot control what happens in the other game, but we can control what happens against Scotland.

“We will have a couple of days off, but then get into it on Monday.”

England ran riot after the disappointment of their defeat to Wales a fortnight ago, though head coach Jones says there is still room for improvement.

“Yes, it was a good response after Wales. We left a bit out there, there’s a bit of disappointment with certain aspects but we are looking forward to Scotland,” he added.

“We used the whole 23 today, we could have used the finishers better against Wales, and that was my fault, but they all made a contribution today

“Ben Te’o and Manu Tuilagi are good players, and Joe Cokanasiga is only going to improve. We are so blessed to have Brad Shields and Mark Wilson who can play six, there is great competition for places for next week.”

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